COASTGUARDS have this morning been searching for a man who was seen entering the water from Itchen Bridge in Southampton.

Concerned passers-by raised the alarm just after 10.30pm last night after seeing a man go into the water from the Itchen Bridge.

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Emergency services launched a search of the area but no trace of the man was found.

A Coastguard spokesman said Hamble lifeboat, Associated British Port's harbour patrol boat as well as two shorebound coastguard teams spent two and a half hours looking for the man after reports he was calling for help from the water.

The search resumed at first light this morning with a coastguard helicopter conducting another sweep of the river.

Police urged anyone who was concerned for the welfare of someone they knew to contact them.

Insp Sharman Wicks from Bitterne police station added: “We are also keen to hear from the man himself. It may be that he managed to scramble to the shore safely and we don’t know. If you are this person then please make contact with Bitterne police and tell us that you are safe and well.”